I learned to embroider when I was a kid, when everyone was really into cross stitch (remember the '80s?). Eventually, I migrated to surface embroidery, teaching myself with whatever I could get my hands on...read more

I learned to embroider when I was a kid, when everyone was really into cross stitch (remember the '80s?). Eventually, I migrated to surface embroidery, teaching myself with whatever I could get my hands on...read more

Needlework News Snips – July, 2016

Happy Saturday! Time to grab your favorite cup, fill it up, and pull up a chair for a little online browse!

In Needlework News Snips, I like to share little embroidery-related snippets that I’ve come across online, hither and yon.

Usually, my Snips are a hodgepodge of inspiration, information, and instruction – a pretty picture or a neat project that caught my eye and that might inspire you; embroidery products, sales, or resources that sound interesting; or maybe a tutorial here and there…whatever happens to pop up whenever I have time to browse about through online embroidery haunts.

It’s a good time for me to share any newsy bits specifically related to Needle ‘n Thread, too, so I usually throw those in at the end of the list.

It’s a meandering journey, sometimes short, sometimes long. And the only thing required to enjoy it is your favorite morning beverage!

(A pastry probably wouldn’t go amiss, either.)

Shall we browse?

We’ll start with a little tutorial totally hand-embroidery related. In fact, it’s at the very heart of hand embroidery, because if you can’t do this particular thing, you’d be hard-pressed to get any stitching done!

How to Thread a Needle

I’ve never seen this approach, but I like it! Normally, I hold the end of the thread just inside the pad of my thumb and index finger, so you can barely see it, and I saw the needle’s eye back and forth down between my fingers onto the thread. Never fails, and I can pretty much thread a needle without even looking at it. This is a similar concept – sawing the needle’s eye over a taut thread – but much more visible. Can’t wait to try it!

Monogramming Inspiration

Elisabetta, over on Elisabetta Ricami a Mano (the blog is in Italian, but you can dump it into Google Translate and get a pretty good idea of what’s going, if you don’t read Italian), has done it yet again. She embroiders beautiful monograms, and in this particular article, she finishes one into the top of a beautifully monogrammed box.

Her blog is definitely worth a browse, especially if you love embroidered monograms.

Speaking of embroidered monograms, I have some news for you on that subject below….so keep reading!

How DMC Threads are Made

A reader emailed me a link to this video on YouTube, demonstrating how DMC threads are made. I think I could watch that skeining machine all day long – it’s mesmerizing. The video is in French, with English subtitles. It’s fun to see what’s behind that little skein of thread!

I haven’t tried this line of Anchor threads yet, but you might want to know they’re out there and what the differences are.

For Those who Dream Big

If you’ve always dreamed of creating your own 17th Century Embroidered Casket, you’ll want to know that Thistle Threads is taking reservations for the final Cabinet of Curiosities course. You can read the article about that right here.

The course is on a grand scale and it’s not for the faint of heart, but I’ve heard good things about it from readers who are involved in it now. So, if you Dream Big when it comes to needlework, check it out!

Color and Monograms All in One

Speaking of Monograms – I’m Excited!

Next week, I’ll be launching an e-book featuring 16 of my favorite monogram alphabets, all cleaned up and ready to use for your embroidery and craft needs!

I’ve received a lot of requests over the years to make the monogram alphabets that I have here on Needle ‘n Thread already available in one publication for easy download. So with this e-book, I’ve done that, and I’ve added many other alphabets that are favorites of mine.

You’ll find bold plain letters (perfect for free-style embellishment and voided embroidery), scripts for shadow work, some modern roman initials, as well as all kinds of decorative initials.

I’m so excited!! I really hope you like it! Look for it next week!

And On that Note…

…my cup is empty. Twice. How’s yours? Time to tie up.

I’m finishing up my kaleidoscope thingy today and fiddling around with a new app that just might be the answer to thread organization. More on that later!